FIFA is gearing up to deploy the new Club World Cup in the United States in the summer of 2025. According to a revelation by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has promised global broadcasters that specific information about the tournament's venues will be unveiled by the end of September. The news has certainly injected a sense of urgency into the preparations for the tournament, especially for the teams that must negotiate with stadiums and cities across the U.S. on short notice.
Infantino has been in frequent contact with broadcasters recently in an effort to boost their interest and confidence in the new Club World Cup. Convincing broadcasters of the value of the tournament is crucial, given the huge amount of television revenue FIFA needs to support its operations. However, broadcasters remain cautious, mainly due to differences in broadcasting cost estimates, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events, and uncertainty about the new format and teams.
What worries broadcasters even more is that the Club World Cup schedule overlaps with major tournaments such as the Women's Europa League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, which could affect viewers' choices. At the same time, some soccer fans are familiar with the big clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona and Milan did not qualify, C Luo played Riyadh Victory is also not involved in the same, Messi's Miami International participation is not clear, these factors further aggravate the worries of broadcasters.
The success of the new Club World Cup, a 32-team soccer event, will depend on the organization and execution of the tournament. Although key elements such as venues, training bases, sponsors and broadcasters have yet to be fully finalized, FIFA has made it clear that it will be announcing the venues in a few weeks and plans to release more information before the December draw.
It is worth noting that Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser, as president of the European Club Association, also spoke with Infantino to express his expectations and concerns about the new Club World Cup. These clubs are generally hoping to gain comparable revenues to the Champions League from the reformed tournament, which will boost the commercial value of the tournament's requirements.
At this critical juncture of challenges and opportunities, FIFA needs to quickly resolve issues in the organization of the tournament to ensure the smooth running and success of the new Club World Cup. The timely release of venue information will bring anticipation and comfort to broadcasters and fans around the world.
